Fashion Scents

A moreish mix of flowers and fruit. Pear and tangerine hit you first, along with a spicy sprinkling of pink peppercorns. On the skin it warms up to reveal rose, jasmine and a smooth “leather” base that draws on the house’s heritage in leather goods. “The fragrance reflects the know-how of Fendi, but also its ability to surprise and arouse desire,” says perfumer François Demarche.

Fan di Fendi EDP spray, 50ml for $130. Stockists: (02) 9695 4800.

The designers

Karl Lagerfeld heads up womenswear while Silvia Venturini Fendi designs handbags, accessories and men’s ready-to-wear. Fendibelieves the new scent will transcend demographics. “There is no age diktat or aesthetic diktat in Fendi, and I think that the new fragrance is true to this credo,” she says.

The campaign

Directed by famed French art director Fabien Baron, it features so-hot-right-now models Abbey Lee, Karmen Pedaru and Anja Rubik partying to the song Cheap and Cheerful by in-demand indie-rock band The Kills. “The shoot was fun,” says Rubik. “We got to dance all day long.”

The style

Italian excess

The brand that began as a purveyor of fur and leather has grown into a sharp and chic label under artistic director Karl Lagerfeld’s deft tutelage. Lagerfeld designed the famous double-F logo in the ‘60s that later emblazoned the Fendi baguette and started the It bag revolution.

This sexy oriental floral is what Gianninidescribes as “full throttle”, with top notes of mandarin, peach and pink pepper. “Its heart contains lilac, geranium and peach and the base of Guilty is made up of patchouli, which is the hallmark of Gucci fragrances,” says Giannini. “Gucci Guilty is very seductive and feminine – I personally like to describe it as hypnotic.”

Gucci Guilty EDT, 50ml for $114. Stockists: (02) 9695 55678.

The designer

As with Tom Ford, who was the house’s designer before her, Frida Giannini’s vision of the Gucci woman is strong and sexy. Giannini’s latest collection contained what she called “mature clothes for more mature women” and featured luxe trimmings of fox fur and leather, suede and snakeskin.

The campaign

Directed by Sin City creator and film noir graphic artist Frank Miller, the commercial features Evan Rachel Wood and Chris Evans getting up to no good. Fashion snappers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott shot the print campaign.

The style

Urban glamazon

The brand started by Guccio Gucci in 1921 in Florence has become a juggernaut of style and sophistication. “The iconic interlocking Gs [on the bottle] work perfectly, considering the name Gucci Guilty, and the two Gs reminded me of the two interlocking characters from the campaign,” says Giannini.

Freshly torn mint and lemons from Calabria in Italy are blended with jasmine and clean aquatic notes over a warm base of cedarwood and brown sugar. Armani wanted to create “the essence of joy” with this fresh, zesty scent and drew on inspiration from his island homes in Antigua and Italy’s Pantelleria. “Both represent an ideal – a place to escape to and recharge in a natural setting. You really feel the power of Mother Nature and her fresh, dynamic energy.”

Acqua di Gioia EDP, 50ml for $110. Stockists: (02) 9931 8888.

The designer

Giorgio Armanioversees his empire of clothing, homewares, cosmetics and fragrances with discerning perfectionism. “Acqua di Gioia is bright and feminine and sensual in a way that my recent women’s collections have been, but although it is enlivening and invigorating, it is still essentially elegant,” he says.

The campaign

Armanicollaborated with art director Fabien Baron (a busy man) on the campaign, which was shot in Hawaii, and features gorgeous up-and-comer Emily DiDonato on a postcard-perfect beach.

The style

Elegant insouciance

From the loose-fitting tailoring of his 80s power suits to the effortless élan of his red-carpet gowns, Armani has always been about easy, relaxed glamour.

As a tribute to the popular Halston fragrances of the 70s, the new Halston Woman features notes from the original signature scents. “The top note has been given a new breath, playing up the marigold facet of the original formula with luminous accents of Sicilian bergamot and blackcurrant buds,” says perfumer Carlos Benaim. “The dry down has been given greater sensuality and addiction by wrapping Halston’s signature woody notes of the original scent with a precious complex of sandalwood and amber.”

Halston Woman EDT, 50ml for $130. Stockists: (02) 9409 7700

The designers

After Roy Halston’s death in 1990, several attempts were made to revive the brand, but it wasn’t until movie mogul Harvey Weinstein bought the company in 2007, brought in designer Marios Schwab and added high-profile Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon and celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe to the creative team that revival seemed possible. Adding further celebrity wattage, actress Sarah Jessica Parker has reportedly signed on to work on the contemporary line Halston Heritage.

The campaign

The global campaign consists of a clean image focused on the bottles designed by Elsa Peretti, who created the original Halston flacons in the 70s.

The style

Warrior woman

In its disco heyday, Halston was all flowing gowns and jumpsuits in jersey, cashmere and ultrasuede. Now, with designer Marios Schwab at the helm, the label is stronger and more modern, while still referencing elements from the 70s.

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